UP approves Centre's draft law on triple talaq

Lucknow, December 6: The Uttar Pradesh government has approved the Centre's draft law to end the practice of instant triple talaq, reports PTI from Lucknow.

Under triple talaq, a Muslim can divorce his wife by uttering "talaq" three times.

The draft law proposes three years imprisonment and a fine for those using triple talaq.

The Centre's draft law was formally endorsed by the state Cabinet at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday evening.

"The Centre's draft Bill on triple talaq has been endorsed in the Cabinet. The Centre had asked the states to send their respective views by December 10," said Siddharth Nath Singh, the government spokesman.

As per the draft, tripe talaq or talaq-e-biddat will be a "cognisable and non-bailable" offence punishable with three years imprisonment and the wife will be entitled to maintenance and the custody of children if they are minor.

The Supreme Court had on August 22 struck down triple talaq, calling the Islamic practice unconstitutional and in violation of Article 14 of the Constitution, which provides for equality before the law. (PTI)